Dispensing agitator for washing apparatus



y 28, 1963 J. c. MARTIN ETAL DISPENSING AGITATOR FOR WASHING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1962 INVENTORS J0)??? C. mariin 1? 027827 f. Bra baker Norman J 51111001 Theodore 0. 5311251! May 28, 1963 J. c. MARTIN ETAL 3,

DISPENSING AGITATOR FOR WASHING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet s l N VE N TOR 5 4/0)??? C. marzin Robert F Brubaker fiorman 4 BuNock 7 Z/zeodora O. S'zmrua' 3,391,108 DISRENSING A-GIIATOR FUR WASHING APPARATUS John C. Martin, Kettering, Robert F. Brnhaker, Eaton, and Norman J. Builock and Theodore (B. Stutrud, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to General Motors Corporation, De-

troit, Mich, a corporation of Eelaware Filed June 5, 1962, Ser. No. 209,277 8 (Zlaims. (CI. 68-17) This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to an improved means for agitating and dispensing a liquid bleach or the like into the tub of a washing machine.

In clothes washers using the agitator post as the means for dispensing various washing agents, it is desirable that the agitator be so formed that it is self-cleaning and provides optimum dispensing. In addition, the agitator post should be designed for easy access to the various dispensing devices in the interior thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved hollow agitator for use with a clothes washer.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a combination rinse conditioner dispenser and agitator cap.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vertically reciprocable, hollow agitator with circulator rings and dispensing slots between said rings for improved dispensing.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved agitator design including circulator rings which are recessed into the body of the agitator.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view partly in elevation of a clothes washer suitable for use with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the agitator and dispenser assembly of this invention taken along line 22 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 2 with the agitator cap in locked in place position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 with the agitator cap in the unlatched position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of this invention taken along line 55 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 77 in FIGURE 5.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURE 1, a washing machine generally designated by reference numeral 10 is shown and includes a tub 12 and an agitator and dispenser assembly generally denoted by reference numeral 14. The agitator assembly has a lower substantially conically shaped agitator ring portion 16 and an upper tubular dispenser portion or housing 18. The upper end of the tubular portion 18 is open and is closable by a cap 20. An agitating and spinning mechanism 22 is disposed in a machinery compartment below the tub and agitator and is connected respectively by a shaft 24 with the spin tub 12 and a shaft 26 with the agitator 14. The agitating and spinning mechanism 22 is of the type taught generally in the patent to Sisson 2,758,685, issued August 14, 1956. By such teaching, a reversible motor 27 is arranged through the agitating and spin mechanism to selectively spin the tub 12 and vertically reciprocate the agitator assembly 14. As disclosed 3,fl9l,lfl8 Patented May 28, 1963 in the Sisson patent, the electric motor Will vertically reciprocate the agitator assembly '14 during certain periods of energization, while the tub and agitator assembly, during other periods of energization of the electric motor, will rotate at high speeds. It is to be understood that the Washing machine is arranged with water supply and drain means together with timing means for controlling the energization of the motor 27 and for controlling the supply of Water and the drain of water from the tub 12.

With this arrangement, a timer of conventional design controls the operation of the washing machine so that the tub is first filled with Wash water to a predetermined level 29. The timer then operates to start the agitation cycle wherein the agitator assembly 14 is vertically reciprocated for a predetermined period. When the agitation or washing cycle is finished, the agitator assembly and tub are rotated at hi h speed whereupon the water is spun out of the tub and carried away by suitable drain means (not shown). The cycle of operation, after the water is spun out of the tub, may include one or more rinse periods and a spin drying period where the tub and agitator are spun at high speed. Turning now to FIGURE 2, the agitator assembly 14 is shown formed with the agitator ring 16 for motivating or circulating the washing solution and the dispensing portion or housing 18. The dispenser housing 18 carries a lower ring 28 for aiding in producing the toroidal circulation of the washing fluid and an upper ring 3% which aids in the removal of lint and scum from the surface of the washing fluid through the outflow ports 34 (FIGURE 1) in the tub.

The manner in which the agitator is connected to the agitating and spinning mechanism 22 will now be more fully described. The shaft 26 extends upwardly from the mechanism into the spin basket 12. The agitator ring 16 is affixed against relative rotation at the upper end of the shaft 26 and a spacer nut 36 threaded 0n the upper end of shaft 26 to secure the ring -16 to the shaft. The spacer nut 36 is formed with a plurality of radially directed ribs or fingers 38 which hold the bottom of the dispenser housing 18 a spaced distance from the top of the ring 16. The dispenser housing is formed with a cylindrical wall portion 18 and a plurality of integral radially directed support vanes at) which form a web utilized in fastening the dispenser housing to the top of the spacer nut 36 by any suitable fastening means 42. This assembly permits free interchange of fluid from the interior 44 of the dispenser housing to the spin tub 12 by means of passageways between the housing support vanes 40 and between the cylindrical wall of the housing and the fingers 38 of the spacer nut 36. The chamber 44 of the dispenser housing 18 is adapted to receive a centrifugally actuated rinse conditioner dispenser 50 and a bleach cup 52, both of which are retained in nested relationship in the chamber 44 by the cap 29. Additional details relating to the dispenser 5t} and bleach cup 52 may be had with reference to the patent to Johnston 2,970,463, issued February 7, 1961.

In accordance with this invention, the housing 18 is formed with alternating vertical ribs 54 and slots 56 to provide additional space between cup and housing for improved interchange of rinse conditioner or bleach between the tub and the bleach cup 52 ports, such as 53', in

- the bleach cup providing a passageway betwen the cup and the chamber 44. The ribs also provide shoulders 58 on which the rinse conditioner dispenser 50 rests. At about the middle on the outer side of the housing 18 is an annular groove 60 having a raised rib 62 for positioning complementary surfaces on the ring 30. Similarly an annular groove 64 and rib 66 provide proper seating for the lower ring 28. This recessed seating of the rings prevents slip and allows for ring stretching over an extended life. Below each ring is an opening or slot 68,

.top side of the bottom wall.

70 having dimensions of approximately 1%" long by A" deep. These slots are continuously below the water level and provide and improved interchange of fluid between the washing tub and the hollow chamber 44 of the agitator, i.e., the possibility of undiluted bleach contacting clothing in minimized. The size of these slots is especially effective where the agitator housing 18 is approximately 7" high and approximately 4" in diameter. Each of the slots 68 and 70 have a diametrically opposite counterpart in the wall of the dispenser housing.

At the top of the housing wall are diametrically opposite notches or recesses 72, 73 which serve as the keeper means for latch tangs 74, 76 integral with the cap 20. These tangs 74, 76 are formed with tapered or ramp portions 78 so that the latch tangs are owed inwardly when the cap is rotated-the cap being knurled at 80 about its periphery to aid in this rotating movement. Once the cap 20 has been rotated, as seen in FIGURE 4, to clear the tangs 74 and 76 from engagement with the keeper recesses 72, 73, the cap 20' may simply be lifted vertically from its position on the dispenser housing 18.

Note that in FIGURE 2 the cap 20' is provided with annular integral ribs 84, 85 which bear on the top of the dispenser 50 to retain it and the bleach cup 52 snugly against the bias of the spring 86 so that the nested assembly will not rattle during vertical reciprocation of the agitator 14. In order that proper venting of the dispenser 50 will occur and to prevent vapor lock between the cap 20 and the dispenser, breathing or vent grooves 88 and 90 are formed in the annular ribs 84 and 85.

Turning now to FIGURE 5, the second embodiment of this invention will be described wherein a combination rinse conditioner dispenser and agitator cap are combined into an assembly 100. The combination cap and dispenser is comprised of a generally cylindrical wall portion 102 having an internal, inverted shoulder 104 to receive a bottom wall 106. The bottom wall 106 includes a pair of latch tangs 108, 110 which interconnect with the keeper recesses 72 and 73 of the dispenser housing 18, as described hereinbefore. An imperforate central retainer cup 112 fits snugly in and extends through an opening 114 in the bottom Wall 106 and includes several protuberances or shouldered ribs 116 which rest on the The open end of the cup 112 is closed by a generally inverted dome shaped cover 118 and a supply top 120 which includes an integral annular rib 122 depending into cemented engagement with the flange forming the open top of the cup 112 and the outer periphery of the cover 118. The supply top is also sealed as by cement at its periphery to the upper end of the cylindrical wall 102.

A liquid fluid to be dispensed is supplied to the cup 112 through a central circular supply opening 126 in the supply top 120. This fluid flows radially outwardly on the top surface of the cover 118 until it reaches a series of circumferentially arranged ports 128 leading to the interior of the cup 112. When the agitator is vertically reciprocated, the fluid within the cup 112 is vigorously shaken. However, the overlap of the supply top 120 and the dome shaped cover 118 prevents loss of fluid by returning to the cup the fluid which escapes through the ports 128.

When the motor 27 is energized for spin, the agitator or dispenser housing 18 will rotate and cause thedispensercap assembly 190 to do likewise. Since the walls 130 of the retainer cup are tapered and terminate in the circumforce along the cylindrical wall 102 of the dispenser.

As the rotation ceases, the fluid will flow by gravity along the bottom wall 106 of the dispenser to a circumferentially arranged series of dispenser outflow ports 138, and thence either into the bleach cup 52 (not shown in FIGURE 5) and indirectly into the spin tub when next the agitator is reciprocated or directly into the spin tub for use in a subsequent rinse operation.

It should now be understood that an improved combination centrifugally actuated dispenser and agitator cap has been provided which will eliminate parts and minimize costs. In addition, this invention contemplates'an improved latching arrangement for an agitator cap wherein an integral latching tang can be released from its keeper simply by a relative rotational movement and further contemplates and improved dispenser housing portion for a vertically reciprocable agitator which will better distribute washing agents.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted What is claimed is as follows:

1. A multiple substance dispensing apparatus for a washing machine having a fluid filled tub and an agitating ring comprising, power operated means to selectively vertically reciprocate and rotate said agitating ring, fastening means for attaching said dispensing apparatus to said agitating ring for movement therewith, said dispensing apparatus including a generally vertical open-ended housing spaced at its lower open end from said agitating ring for directing a first substance to said tub when said agitating ring is reciprocated, a first container upwardly biasingly supported in said housing and having an aperture in an upper portion thereof for passing a second substance into the interior of said housing when said agitating ring is reciprocated, said housing having a pair of spaced openings below said aperture and connecting the interior of said housing with said tub below the level of the fluid in said tub, an imperforate second container centrifugally openable for. dispensing a third substance into said first container at the conclusion of the rotation of said agitating ring, :a cover for retaining said housing and said first and second containers in assembled relationship, means for venting said second container to the atmosphere including ports in said second container and said cover, and means for latching said cover to said housing including a keeper recess in the upper end of said housing and a tang on said cover having a flange extending into said keeper recess, said flange having a tapered edge extending from inside said recess radially inwardly of said recess, whereby relative rotation of said cover and said housing Will cam said tank inwardly to release said latch to facilitate vertical separation of said cover from said housing.

2. A multiple substance dispensing apparatus for a washing machine having a fluid filled tub and an agitating ring comprising, .power operated meansto selectively vertically reciprocate and rotate said agitating ring, fastening means for attaching said dispensing apparatus to said agitating ring for movement therewith, said dispensperforate second container centiifugally opena-ble for dispensing a third substance into said first container at the conclusion of the rotation of said agitating ring, a cover 0 for retaining said housing and said first and second containers in assembled relation-ship, means for venting said second container to the atmospheric includingports in said second container and said cover, and means for latching said cover to said housing including a keeper recess in the upper end of said housing and a tang on said cover having a flange extending into said keeper recess.

3. A multiple substance dispensing apparatus for a washing machine having a fluid filled tub and an agitating ring comprising, power operated means to selectively vertically reciprocate and rotate said agitating ring, fastening means for attaching said dispensing apparatus to said agitating ring for movement therewith, said dispensing apparatus including a generally vertical open-ended housing spaced at its lower open end from said agitating ring for directing a first substance to said tub when said agitating ring is reciprocated and having spaced ribs about the inside of the upper end of said housing, a fluid circulating ring recessed into said housing on the outer side thereof and movable with said agitating ring, :a first container upwardly biasingly supported in said housing and having an aperture in an upper portion thereof for passing a second substance into the interior of said housing when said agitating ring is reciprocated, the spaced ribs of said housing facilitating the passing of said second substance, said housing having a pair of spaced openings on opposite sides of said fluid circulating ring below said aperture and connecting the interior of said housing with said tub below the level of the fluid in said tub, an imperforate second container centrifugally openable for dispensing a third substance into said first container at the conclusion or" the rotation of said agitating ring, a cover for retaining said housing and said first and second containers in assembled relationship, means for venting said second container to the atmosphere including ports in said second container and said cover, and means for latching said cover to said housing including a keeper recess in the upper end of said housing and a tang on said cover having a flange extending into said keeper recess, said flange having a tapered edge extending from inside said recess radially inwardly of said recess, whereby relative rotation of said cover and said housing will cam said tank inwardly to release said latch to facilitate vertical separation of said cover from said housing.

4. In combination with a generally cylindrical agitatator housing having a pair of diametrically opposite recesses at the upper end thereof and means for selectively vertically reciprocating said housing and spinning said housing, a combination dispenser and cap for closing the open end of said housing comprising a cylindrical retainer wall coextensive with said housing, an inwardly and downwardly tapered annular bottom wall having a central opening and a peripheral edge portion connected to said retainer wall and supported on the top of said housing,

a retainer cup nested in said central opening and adapted to contain a fluid washing agent, said retainer cup having an upwardly and outwardly flared a conical side wall forming with said cylindrical retainer wall and said bottom wall a radially outer chamber,

a dome shaped cover having -a raised center portion and a radially outer portion sloping downwardly to a juncture with the flared wall of said retainer cup, said dome shaped cover having a first port adjacent said juncture communicating with said retainer cup,

a washing agent supply top closing the open upper end of said cylindrical retainer wall and having a washing agent fill opening overlying the raised center portion of said dome shaped cover, said supply top having a depending annular flange radially outwardly of said fill opening and connected with said dome shaped cover and said flared wall at said juncture to form with said cover and said top a fill chamber including said first port,

and latch tangs on said bottom wall selectively engageable in said recesses for retaining said combination dispenser and cap on said housing,

said annular flange having an upwardly outwardly slanted second port providing communication between said outer chamber and said fill chamber and for cooperating with said first port in said dome shaped cover to transfer said washing agent from said retainer cup through said fill chamber to said outer chamber when said housing is spinning,

and said bottom wall having a third port radially inwardly of said cylindrical retainer wall and in communication with said housing for transferring said washing agent from said outer chamber to said housing at the conclusion of said spinning.

5. In combination with an agitator housing having means for selectively vertically reciprocating said housing and spinning said housing, a combination dispenser and cap for closing the open end of said housing comprising a retainer wall substantially coextensive with said housan inwardly and downwardly tapered bottom wall having an edge portion connected to said retainer wall and supported on the top of said housing,

a retainer cup above said bottom wall and adapted to contain a fluid washing agent, said retainer cup having an upwardly and outwardly flared side wall forming with said retainer wall and said bottom wall an outer chamber,

a cover having a raised center portion and an outer portion sloping downwardly to a juncture with the flared wall of said retainer cup, said cover having a first port adjacent said juncture communicating with said retainer cup, and

a washing agent supply top closing the open upper end of said retainer wall and having a washing agent fill opening overlying the raised center portion of said cover, said supply top having a depending flange outwardly of said fill opening and connected with said cover and said flared wall at said juncture to form with said cover and said top a fill chamber including said first port, said flange having a second port providing communication between said outer chamber and said fill chamber and for cooperating with said first port in said cover to transfer said washing agent from said retainer cup through said fill chamber to said outer chamber when said housing is spinning,

and said bottom wall having a third port inwardly of said retainer wall and in communication with said housing for transferring said washing agent from said outer chamber to said housing at the conclusion of said spinning.

6. The combination of claim 5 including means for latching said combination dispenser and cap to said agitator housing.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said latching means includes a recess at the upper end of said housing and a tang depending from said combination dispenser and cap, said tang having a trapezoidal flange portion extending into said recess and adapted to be cammed from said recess by the relative rotation of said housing and said combination dispenser and cap.

8. A multiple substance dispensing apparatus for a washing machine having a fluid filled tub and an agitating ring comprising, power operated means to selectively vertically reciprocate and rotate said agitating ring, fastening means for attaching said dispensing apparatus to said agitating ring for movement therewith, said dispensing apparatus including a generally vertical open-ended housing spaced at its lower open end from said agitating ring for directing a first substance to said tub when said agitating ring is reciprocated and having spaced ribs about the inside of the upper end of said housing, a fluid circulating ring recessed into said housing on the outer side thereof and movable with said agitating ring, a first container upwardly biasingly supported in said housing and having an aperture in an upper portion thereof for passing a second substance into the interior of said housing when said agitating ring is reciprocated, the spaced ribs of said housing facilitating the passing of said second substance, said hous ing having a pair of spaced openings on opposite sides of said fluid circulating ring below said aperture and connecting the interior of said housing with said tub below the level of the fluid in said tub, a second container centrifugally communicable with said first container for dispensing a third substance into said first container at the conclusion of the rotation of said agitating ring, cover means for retaining said housing and said first and second containers in assembled relationship, means for venting said second container to the atmosphere including ports in said second container and said cover means, and means for latching said cover means to said housing including a keeper recess in the upper end of said housing and a tang on said cover means having a flange extending into said keeper recess, said flange having a tapered edge extending from inside said recess radially inwardly of said recess, whereby relative rotation of said cover means and said housing will cam said tang inwardly to release said latch to facilitate vertical separation of said cover means from said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

8. A MULITPLE SUBSTANCE DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR A WASHING MACHINE HAVING A FLUID TUB AND AN AGITATING RING COMPRISING, POWER OPERATED MEANS TO SELECTIVELY VERTICALLY RECIPROCATE AND ROTATE SAID AGITATING RING, FASTENING MEANS FOR ATTACHING SAID DISPENDING APPARATUS TO SAID AGITATING RING FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, SAID DISPENSING APPARATUS INCLUDING A GENERALLY VERTICAL OPEN-ENDED HOUSING SPACED AT ITS LOWER OPEN END FROM SAID AGITATING RING FOR DIRECTING A FIRST SUBSTANCE T SAID TUB WHEN SAID AGITATING RING IS RECIPROCATED AND HAVING SPACED RIBS ABOUT THE INSIDE OF THE UPPER END OF SAID HOUSING A FLUID CIRCULATING RING RECESSED INTO SAID HOUSING ON THE OUTER SIDE THEREOF AND MOVABE WITH SAID AGITATING RING, A FIRST CONTAINER UPWARDLY BIASINGLY SUPPORTED IN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING AN APERTURE IN AN UPPER PORTION THEREOF FOR PASSING A SECOND SUBSTANCE INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING WHEN SAID AGITATING RING IS RECIPROCATED, THE SPACED RIBS OF SAID HOUSING FACILITATING THE PASSING OF SAID SECOND SUBSTANCE, SAID HOUSING HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED OPENINGS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID FLUID CIRCULATING RING BELOW SAID APERTURE AND CONNECTING THE INTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING WITH SAID TUB BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE FLUID IN SAID TUB, A SECOND CONTAINER CENTRIFUGALLY COMMUNICABLE WITH SAID FIRST CONTAINER FOR DISPENSING A THIRD SUBSTANCE INTO SAID FIRST CONTAINER AT THE CONCLUSION FO THE ROTATION OF SAID AGITATING RING, COVER MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID HOUSING AND SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONTAINERS IN ASSEMBLED RELATIONSHIP, MEANS FOR VENTING SAID SECOND CONTAINER TO THE ATMOSPHERE INCLUDING PORTS IN SAID SECOND CONTAINER AND SAID COVER MEANS, AND MEANS FOR LATCHING SAID COVER MEANS TO SAID HOUSING INCLUDING A 